Band for envelopes and the like



July 2, 1929. A. NOVICK 1,719,617

BAND FOR ENvELbPEs AND THE LIKE Filed July 22, 1926 i b r Patented July 2, 1929. H

- be described.

UN mm) ABRAHAM NOVICK, OF FLUSHING, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO F. L. SMITHE 00., INC, 013 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

BAND FOR ENVELOPES AND THE LIKE.

Application filed July 22,

My present invention relates to closures or fastening means for paper or similar material fabricated out of the material itself. While useful in other ways, my invention is of particular utility for securing together the ends of straps for binding bundles of envelopes, and is herein illustrated for such use.

The invention will be best understood from the following detailed description taken with the annexed drawing in which Figure 1 is an illustrative embodiment showing a bundle of envelopes having my improved strap in place; Figure 2 is a view in cross section taken longitudinally of the strap, the envelopes being indicated merely; Figure 3 is a view in longitudinal cross section through the closure showing the relation of the parts before the tabs are folded into place; Figures 4 and 5 show the ends of the strap after disengagement.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, 10 denotes a bundle of envelopes provided with a strap 12 preferably of paper having an improved closure which will now As shown, the ends a and I) of strap 12 overlap. Preferably the said ends will be secured together by automatic means not shown. In such operation the strap is first brought around the envelope bundle and the ends. held in overlapping relation, whereupon registeringtabs are cut therefrom by means of a suitable instrument having a cutting edge, after which the tabs are secured by being folded between the surface of the strap and adjacent envelope. A virtual hook and eye arrangement is thus formed, the parts being so disposed as to resist pulling apart of the strap by the pressure of the envelopes which, as is well understood, have a tendency to bulge. The strap may be disengaged if desired by unhooking the ends, which then have the ap earance of Fi ure 4. If desired, however, ta s may be cutin the strap before they are placed around the bundles, and the assembling done by hand and without the use of automatic machinery in the entire operation.

A feature of the invention resides-in. the shape of the tabs. 14 and 16. It will be noted that as shown, the edges of the'tabs 14 and undermost or holding tab 14 to thread out ing tabs cut from said overlapping ends, said 1926. Serial No. 124,140.

16 diverge from the base thereof. This means that when the tabs are bent back beneath the strap, and pressure is applied to expand the closed strap, it will be impossible for the of the slot (barring the possibility of the tab crimping longitudinally due to the di-v verging edges thereof). To leave the slot, the tab must swing into full registry therewith. This, however, cannot happen due to the friction of the edges of the holding tab against the edges of the slot adjacent the base thereof.

It will be evident from the foregoing that I have provided a strap for an envelope bundle which is easy to manufacture and assemble and which furthermore has the important advantage that it does away with the'use of glue, the application of which may be the cause of spoiling the envelope adjacent the closure. Moreover it dispenses with means for drying the glued or pasted ends and the time element necessary to carry out such drying. In addition my improved form of closure presents a neat appearance and has the requisite strength for the purpose.

What I claim is 1.'A combination, a bundle of envelopes and a paper strap therefor embracing the strap and retained against unbending by the pressure of the envelopes.

.2. In combination, a bundle of envelopesg and fastening means therefor comprising a strap or the like extending around said bundle and having one of the ends thereof overlapping the other of said ends, registertabs having edges divergent from their bases and being bent back beneath said sheets and being maintained in bent back condition'by the pressure of the envelopes. r

3. In combination, abundle of envelopes and a strap of paper or like material, having overlapping ends and fastening means therefor comprising a tab cut from one end, en-, tered into a substantially registering slot of said other end, and bent beneath said end, and

retained against unb'ending by the pressure of the envelopes, said tab and slot having edges diverging from their respective bases. 1. In combination, a bundle of envelopes 5 and a strap of paper or like material, having overlapping ends and fastening means therefor comprising registering tabs cut from said ends, said tabs having edges divergent from their bases being bent back beneath said strap and being maintained in bent back condition 10 by the pressure of the envelopes.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my sig nature to this specification.

ABRAHAM NOVICK. 

